Student Spotlight
Vito is in his final semester as a Communication Studies major with a minor in Philosophy. Some of his hobbies include cooking, music, exercise, and travel. One of his lifelong dreams was to go to school in Florida, and FAU provided him with the best opportunity. Throughout his early college career, Vito developed a keen interest in communication studies. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans on attending the SCMS graduate program for his master’s, and then continuing on for his PhD in communication studies. His minor in Philosophy is through the STEM track; his courses are directed toward the understanding and ethics behind technology, such as AI. Outside the classroom, Vito is part of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, a consultant for the Speaking Center, and a Student Fellow at the Center for the Future Mind at FAU. We look forward to having him as an incoming teaching assistant for SCMS.
Pascal Okoh—also known as Junior—is a 22-year-old filmmaker and director who has been making films for a year. He was born in Nigeria and moved to Lauderhill in South Florida as a child. Growing up, he spent a lot of time watching TV and movies, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in filmmaking. Pascal is currently majoring in Film, Video, and New Media at FAU, chasing the goal of becoming a filmmaker. He now has two documentaries under his belt, and was selected to be a part of two film festivals in South Florida—The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and The Subculture Film Festival of West Palm Beach—for his film The Breaking News Reporter.
Hi! I'm Charlotte Perella, a junior in Multimedia Studies: Film. In August 2021, I relocated from New York to South Florida in order to start my academic journey at FAU. I began DJing for Owl Radio during my sophomore year, and I recently joined FAU Film Stop. In addition, I work as a videographer for Strike Magazine, a local magazine that focuses on fashion, art, and culture for university students. My ambition is to work behind the scenes in movies, TV shows, and the digital side of the fashion and arts industries. My favorite class has been Film Theory with Professor Charbonneau, where I've learned about film fundamentals, history, and technology, with engaging discussions among students. I love to spend my free time at the beach and occasionally going surfing up north. Along with attending events like Miami's Art Basel and Miami Music Week, I enjoy networking in the arts and entertainment industry. FAU offers an excellent environment for those interested in the business side of the arts, as well as the lively atmosphere and easy access to nearby cities.
My name is Nicole Bailey , I’m in my last semester here at FAU and I’m a film major (FVNM). I absolutely love everything about film, from watching movies to trying to create my short film. Currently, I’m in the process of creating a film club, so we can get to know the other students who are interested in film or the process of creating film. The new club is called Film Stop, and it can be found on Owl Central. Our first meeting was held September 15th, where we played a movie and networked with everyone. I think this will be beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue film, since we can interact with everyone who has an interest in creating a short film. Rather than posting a casting call to the boards and hoping for an answer, there will be a unique network of students who are willing to help.
My name is Jorge Cereghino and I was born in Lima, Perú. I moved to America in 2001 and after watching the Amy Winehouse documentary a few years later, I decided to go back to school to pursue my Bachelor of Arts degree at FAU. I’m currently in my Senior Year in the Multimedia Studies program with a concentration in Film, Video, and New Media. In my spare time, I enjoy riding my bike to the beach, watching indie movies, music documentaries, and collecting vinyls. Ever since I started school in 2020, my favorite course has been Film Criticism with Professor Matthew Elfenbein. His classes were informative and entertaining, and I learned to look at films from a different perspective. Professor Elfenbein loves what he is teaching and inspires a love for learning. In the last three years in college, I have gained knowledge, skills, and experience that I know will help me in my career and my life. By gaining additional skills in communication and problem-solving, I have also increased my confidence that I will achieve my goals. After graduating next May 2024, I will begin my journey toward becoming a famous documentary filmmaker!
Huguette St Hubert is a junior pursuing Communication Studies with a concentration in public health and a minor in French. While originally from Haiti, Huburt moved to Florida for higher education. A recipient of the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, Hubert is actively involved with student organizations at FAU as an Owls Care Leader, vice president of Girls Who Code, and the first director of community engagement of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine. She is interested in promoting and advocating for health and wellness. "Communication is the foundation of every successful organization in today’s society. As a communication studies major, I’ve learned necessary concepts that are helping me thrive academically, personally, and professionally. I also have been able to play an essential role in the community through the projects that I’ve worked on in the classroom." Her favorite class in the program has been Organizational Communication which Hubert is taking in the current semester. She finds the class content very relatable and conversational and likes working on the different class projects. In her free time, Huburt likes going to the beach, enjoying its scenery, reading, and trying different food.
October 2022. Siddiqah Ali is a senior majoring in Multimedia Studies with a concentration in Film, Video, and New Media. This past summer, Ali interned with the creative marketing department of Lumen Technologies, an information technology, and services company. “Interning at Lumen Technologies was a very rewarding experience. I enjoyed being part of a team and learning how to use Adobe Suite,” says Ali. After graduation, she wants to work in video editing and teach herself more about computer animation. Her dream job is to work in computer animation for Disney Animation Studios. “I'm glad that college taught me how to be independent and resourceful because I got through most things by myself.” Ali has previously interned with South Florida PBS as a video producer. “I spend most of my time producing videos to showcase my studio art and handmade jewelry while dedicating time to learning computer animation,” Ali writes in her Linkedin bio.
The following students of the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies were recently honored with accolades and scholarships at the School’s annual Honors Day on May 5, 2022: In the photo, from left, Aaliyah Fisher, Palm Beach Post Scholarship Gillian Manning, Outstanding Student (Undergraduate) in Multimedia Studies Journalism Talia Kibsey, Outstanding Student (Graduate) Master of Arts Program Nadia Gordon - Palm Beach Post Scholarship Not in photo: Jolie Tanner - Inez Persson Bailyn Scholarship in Journalism Francesca Dousdebes, Outstanding Student (Undergraduate) in Film, Video & New Media Mica Spanos, Outstanding Student (Undergraduate) in Communication Studies
Florida native Austin Havass is a first-year graduate student in Communication Studies at FAU. Havass started the graduate program after finishing his bachelor studies in Multimedia Studies, with a minor in Spanish, from SCMS in Spring of 2021. His interests include aspects of pedagogy, cultural communication, and educational leadership. As an undergraduate, Havass was a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Honors Society. He is also among the co-founders of the Latinx Student Union, founded in Spring of 2021. He recently spoke at the 20th Annual Tri-University Student Conference on Latin America and the Caribbean, where he presented an analysis on how “the Latinx community defied U.S.-based odds and combatted negative tropes embedded inside cultural constructs.” As a graduate teaching assistant, Havass currently teaches public speaking courses and plans to further his studies in the field of education.
“The Sounds of Herzog,” a videographic essay produced by FAU Students/Alumni Kat Davis, Enzo Figueroa, and Zacary Adelson, celebrates the unique use of sound in Herzog’s classic film, "Aguirre, Wrath of God," in anticipation of the 50th anniversary screening of the film with Werner Herzog in attendance. The film can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/672357342. Dr. Stephen Charbonneau mentored the filmmakers in this project.